What is the fee of registering for the TOEFL iBT Paper Edition?

Applicants who choose to take the TOEFL iBT Paper Edition must pay an amount of INR 16,900 for registering, which is the same for TOEFL iBT.

How many times is the TOEFL iBT Home Edition conducted in a month?

The TOEFL iBT Paper Edition is offered once or twice every month.

As the TOEFL iBT exam is conducted in two sessions, do I have to book two dates or one?

You need to schedule two appointments when you register: one at your neighbourhood testing facility and the other at your house.

In some places, why is the duration of the first session of TOEFL iBT Paper Edition written as three and half hours? What is the actual duration?

The test duration at a centre is three hours. An additional thirty minutes is allocated for test administration tasks, such as admitting examinees, allowing them to input identifying information, and managing test materials.

Are there any special requirements for the Speaking section of the TOEFL iBT Paper Edition?

As the Speaking section is conducted from home, please ensure that you have the required setup for both the equipment and environment before registering. You will get the details from the official website.

Home Blog TOEFL iBT

Common Challenges in TOEFL Speaking Section and How to Overcome Them

10 Common Challenges in TOEFL iBT® Speaking Section and How to Overcome Them

Akanksha Tripathi

4 min read

Updated On December 26, 2024

"Tackle common TOEFL Speaking challenges such as rushing, vocabulary limitations, and anxiety. Learn practical strategies to improve your performance."

Key Highlights

Common Challenges in the TOEFL Speaking Section and How to Overcome Them

The TOEFL Speaking section tests your ability to communicate ideas clearly and logically within a short time. Many test-takers find this challenging due to factors like time pressure, vocabulary limitations, or nervousness. However, each challenge has practical solutions to help improve your performance. We have provided ten common obstacles in the TOEFL Speaking section, along with simple strategies to overcome them, so you can approach the exam with confidence.

Boost your TOEFL speaking score!
Practice with our TOEFL Speaking Practice Tests for instant feedback and improvement.

Common Challenges in the TOEFL Speaking Section and How to Overcome Them

Here are ten common challenges that test-takers encounter in the Speaking section, along with practical solutions and relatable examples to help you excel in this part of the exam.

1. Speaking Too Fast

Why It Happens: Many test-takers feel pressured by the time constraints, which often leads them to rush their speech. This can negatively affect pronunciation, clarity, and overall comprehension.
How to Overcome It: Practice speaking at a more measured pace. Make a point to pause briefly between key ideas to enhance clarity. Recording yourself while speaking slowly and listening back can help you determine if your speech is easy to follow. With time, you’ll develop a natural rhythm that allows you to express your thoughts clearly without the need to rush

2. Running Out of Ideas

Why It Happens: It can be tough to come up with enough relevant content to fill the time, especially when feeling anxious.
How to Overcome It: Get familiar with common TOEFL topics and practice quick brainstorming techniques. While preparing, concentrate on developing examples and reasons that can be adapted to various topics. Practice breaking down each question to make it easier to generate ideas under pressure.

3. Limited Vocabulary

Why It Happens: Having a limited vocabulary can make it challenging to express ideas clearly or accurately describe situations, which may impact confidence and fluency.
How to Overcome It: Broaden your vocabulary by regularly reading English articles, watching English videos, and jotting down new words. Practice using synonyms to describe common situations, and focus on learning descriptive words that are relevant to TOEFL topics. Regularly incorporating these words into sentences will enhance retention and help them come to mind naturally during the test.

Check Out: Top 5 Tips to Master English Vocabulary for TOEFL iBT®

4. Difficulty Organising Responses

Why It Happens: When under time pressure, it’s easy to lose track of your main points, leading to disorganized answers that don’t fully address the question.
How to Overcome It: Utilize a straightforward response structure, such as stating your main idea, providing a reason, and concluding with an example or supporting point. Regularly practicing this structure can help you develop the habit of organising your answers logically. Over time, you’ll find a natural way to approach each response with confidence.

5. Pronunciation Issues

Why It Happens: Nervousness, unfamiliarity with English sounds, or speaking too quickly can affect pronunciation.
How to Overcome It: Concentrate on practicing the sounds and words that you find difficult. Listen to native speakers and try to imitate their tone and pronunciation. Recording your voice while you practice can also help you identify areas that need improvement, making it easier to recognize and correct specific pronunciation mistakes.

6. Going Off-Topic

Why It Happens: Some students may include unnecessary details or stray from the main point, resulting in answers that don’t fully address the question.
How to Overcome It: Keep your focus on the question by breaking it down and answering each part directly. Before you respond, take a moment to mentally outline your answer. Practicing a “main idea and supporting details” approach can help you avoid irrelevant information and ensure your answer stays on topic.

7. Struggling with Transition Words

Why It Happens: Incorporating transition words can be tough under time constraints, yet they are crucial for clarity and flow.
How to Overcome It: Develop a habit of using simple transitions in your practice responses. Words like “first,” “next,” “also,” and “because” can help guide your listener through your answer. Practicing with these words until they feel natural will help ensure your response flows smoothly, making it easier to connect your ideas.

8. Nervousness and Anxiety

Why It Happens: Speaking in English under time pressure can be daunting, leading to nerves that impact clarity and coherence.
How to Overcome It: Practice in conditions similar to the test to become familiar with the format. Engaging in breathing exercises or visualizing a peaceful place before you begin speaking can help alleviate anxiety. Keep in mind that clarity is more important than speed. Regular practice can enhance your confidence and comfort with the test format.

9. Limited Preparation Time

Why It Happens: With only 15-30 seconds to prepare, organizing thoughts and planning a response can be tough.
How to Overcome It: Practice creating quick mental outlines with one or two main points for each response. During the actual test, writing down a couple of keywords during the prep time can help you stay focused and ensure you remember key ideas. Over time, this method will make it easier to quickly organise your responses.

Check Out: TOEFL Speaking Templates for All Speaking Tasks

10. Difficulty Expressing Opinions Clearly

Why It Happens: Stating opinions concisely and supporting them within the time limit can be challenging.
How to Overcome It: Develop a clear structure for expressing opinions: state your opinion, give a reason, and provide a supporting point or example. Using phrases like “In my opinion…” or “I believe…” can help clarify your stance, allowing you to concentrate on the main point. Consistent practice with this method will enable you to craft clear, persuasive responses quickly.

By regularly practicing and applying these focused strategies, you can tackle common challenges in the TOEFL Speaking section. Establishing a clear response structure, enhancing your vocabulary, and simulating test conditions will boost your confidence and improve your performance.

Also Read: